Sizzling Hot Kitchens - Exscape Designs

The Basic Kitchen

  At the very least, an outdoor kitchen typically includes a grill and some countertops. Granite is the best material for outdoor kitchens due to the fact that it’s highly durable and can withstand the elements. As a natural stone, granite has obviously proven itself as a material that can stand the test of time and it makes an excellent countertop material that is highly scratch-resistant and also easy-to-clean. With just a good wipe down, granite is good as new.

The grill is obviously at the heart of the outdoor kitchen set-up and it’s worth mentioning the importance of purchasing one that is high-quality. Since you’re going to be having your grill built into countertops the last thing you want to have to do is have the whole thing torn apart because the grill broke down. Invest in a high-quality grill with a good warranty that you know will last the life of your kitchen.

A Step Up

A step up from the basic kitchen that includes countertops and a built-in grill is a kitchen that begins to include amenities. The mid-range outdoor kitchen might include additional upgrades such as a small outdoor refrigerator for cold beverages, some cabinetry for storage, and possibly a built-in trash can to neatly tuck trash away. Of course, the more amenities you add, the more your budget must expand. As we get into the higher end kitchens, they tend to come with “the works.”

Of course, the grill itself can also be upgraded. Today’s grills come with a number of amenities and we’ve seen rising popularity in features such as a built-in rotisserie, view windows, or even grills that have multiple ways of cooking (such as half charcoal/half gas for the families that can’t agree on the preferred method).

A Kitchen with All the Bells and Whistles

As mentioned, an upgraded kitchen typically has a lot more amenities. These days outdoor kitchens are starting to mimic indoor ones with virtually everything you could imagine. This includes outdoor ovens, microwaves, dishwashers, and of course, running water. Adding amenities means no longer having to go in and out of the main house to prepare meals. You’ll have everything you could possibly need right there.

Some homeowners are even incorporating brick pizza ovens or a smoker into their outdoor kitchen in order to be able to cook in many different ways.

Oftentimes, an upgraded kitchen is also built under a structure. Building your outdoor kitchen into a pavilion allows you to be able to cook outside even during inclement weather. We could even add an outdoor fireplace as part of the pavilion to help keep the structure warm. With an addition like that, you’ll be able to use your outdoor kitchen much more often—even as the weather gets colder.

If you’re considering an outdoor kitchen for your next outdoor living project, we’d love to discuss ideas with you. Although we have a lot of great outdoor kitchen ideas, at the end of the day, we want to help bring your ideas to life. With the right outdoor kitchen design for your backyard, you’ll be enjoying meals with your family and friends to the fullest.

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